Sbeih added that if Abbas wants to extend the negotiations he will propose that option to the Arab League, and it would be largely dependent on progress so far.

Sbeih explained that any deal would have to be based on the Arab Peace Initiative -- a 2002 offer by the Arab and Muslim world to recognize Israel in exchange for a just resolution on the conflict -- and “East Jerusalem, not Beit Hanina” as the capital of a Palestinian state.